Chapter 67 of All the Colors of the Dark opens with Saint starting her Saturday with a piano lesson under the watchful eye of Mrs. Shaw, who critiques her attempts at playing Claire de Lune. Despite the tension of her lesson, Saint’s attention shifts as she notices Nix sitting beneath the okame cherry tree, sipping coffee. His sad smile evokes bittersweet memories of the past year, which inspires Saint to return to her practice with renewed determination. Yet, when Monday arrives, a sense of worry emerges as Nix does not show up for class. Saint, burdened by the uncertainty of adolescence, searches for him in the hallways but finds no trace of him. Instead, she encounters Patch, whose fragile demeanor reflects the toll of a recent altercation, heightening the sense of emotional weight in her life. Their shared silence and conversation reveal not only the chaos in their school life but the deep emotional unrest they both experience in navigating their turbulent teenage years.

As Saint and Patch sit together, the passage of time feels particularly heavy, illustrating the complexity of their emotional lives. Their conversation soon turns to a confrontation that has shaken their school: Chuck’s involvement in stealing a trophy. The revelation of Chuck’s transgression provides a stark contrast to the emotional turmoil that Saint feels inside. Her inner conflict, particularly about the challenges of growing up, is heightened by the weight of witnessing Patch’s vulnerability. When Chuck is brought out of the principal’s office, battered and bruised, Patch’s teasing comment about the stolen trophy adds a layer of tension to an already volatile situation. The uneasy atmosphere is broken by the principal’s intervention, narrowly preventing further violence. Still, the bruises on Patch’s face, including the noticeable blue star over his eye, serve as a reminder of the physical toll their actions have taken. In a moment of shared vulnerability, Saint recounts the story of Hook-Handed Pete, a pirate who wore a blue mark in tribute to a girl he had accidentally hurt. This story, filled with emotional weight, becomes an anchor for both characters as they attempt to make sense of their troubled lives.

The conclusion of the school day is marked by Patch facing suspension for his actions, a consequence that adds further complexity to his already strained existence. As the day ends, Saint silently follows Patch back to his home, where the quiet weight of their shared struggles is felt in every step. Upon entering his house, Saint notices Ivy asleep on the couch, a silent reminder of the family’s inner turmoil and the burden each member carries. Despite the apparent calmness, Saint can sense the underlying tension, a reflection of the emotional challenges they all face. Patch, though quiet and withdrawn, seems resigned to the consequences that lie ahead. When he starts the engine of his Fairlane, Saint knows that they are on the precipice of a new chapter in their chaotic lives. As they drive together, neither speaks much, but the unspoken bond between them grows stronger. This quiet understanding, forged in the midst of their shared pain and the turmoil of their lives, offers a flicker of connection amidst the chaos that defines their worlds.

The chapter reflects not only the turbulence of Saint’s adolescence but also the complex relationships that shape her world. Her encounter with Patch, along with the events at school, emphasizes the emotional struggles of growing up. The tension between the characters, the secrets they keep, and the emotional scars they bear are woven throughout the chapter, providing a rich narrative of inner conflict and unspoken connections. Patch’s suspension serves as a catalyst for change, signaling the beginning of a new, more challenging phase in their lives. Through these interactions, readers are given a window into the emotional complexities of navigating teenage life, where every choice, every conversation, and every silence carries weight. The development of Patch and Saint’s bond becomes a central theme, providing hope and a sense of shared understanding amidst the turbulence that surrounds them.